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Dark Paradise #1
Awaken
When her older sister, Keirah, is kidnapped by the city's most dangerous criminal and the police fail at getting her back, seventeen-year-old Andie Shepherd decides to put her life on hold in order to take the task of finding Keirah into her own hands. She teams up with a mysterious vigilante, more angel than human, who has a familiar pair of jade green eyes. Andie risks her coveted paid internship at Phillip Enterprises--money for her family and a chance to banter with the youngest CEO in the nation--her relationship with her mother and friends, and her pride, in order to get her sister back home safe and sound. If she fails, she'll lose Keirah, either to murder or to the twisted seduction of her captor.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 31, 2013
537 people are currently reading
1663 people want to read
About the author
Heather C. Myers
114 books759 followersFull disclosure: I am an acquired taste. I'm a typical blonde Orange County suburbanite who says 'like' more than necessary, laughs loud and probably obnoxiously, and loves to dance in the rain. I'm a 23 year old college graduate with more than a few tricks up my sleeve, and I also happen to be a pretty big Ducks fan. Oh, and I'm a writer. Like, for real.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
August 5, 2016
Recently I have been working my way through the author’s work, starting all her series and reading standalones. Whilst I have not read them all, I’ve read enough to know I enjoy what she writes. Some more than others, but all are fun. Not too long ago I finished Strangers, proclaiming it to be my favourite thus far. I wish to retract that statement and label Awaken my favourite Heather C. Myers read to date. Strangers had a little bit more than all her other books, yet Awaken has even more than Strangers. It hit so many spots, and I cannot wait to continue reading the trilogy.
Awaken is a mashup of many things, a collection that will sound quite odd but works wonderfully. We have superheroes and villains. We have Greek mythology. We have angels and demons. It sounds like a really crazy mix and match of ideas, but they work together wonderfully. Heather C. Myers has managed to bring three ideas that shouldn’t go together and create something wonderful. She always puts her own spin on things, but this is something else entirely. I could sit and explain how the three come together, but to do so would be to spoil the storyline. Just know it works – and it works well. It’s worth reading just to see how well the author has brought the different ideas together.
As with some of her other books, Heather C. Myers follows three main characters throughout the story. I admit that I did have favourites, but all aspects of the story were interesting. Each perspective we follow gives us more about the world, helping us to see the bigger picture even if the characters do not. Each chapter we shift perspective, finding out what is happening for another character; and whilst this can sometimes be a bad way to tell a story, such is not the case here. Each character has the same amount of story told, enough being given to ensure you’re completely pulled in. By the end, though, we still have plenty of questions that we will want answered in the future books. Basically, she gives us enough to pull us in but we are left wanting more when the story ends.
Despite my enjoyment, though, I wasn’t sure how I felt about the characters. Whilst they were enjoyable, and had great storylines, I feel as though they were far too similar to those in Strangers. I think reading them so close together highlighted such a thing for me, yet it still bugged me somewhat. When it comes to the group of friends, we have the same kinds of characters. It’s almost as though I’m reading the same group of friends but in a different situation. There were enough differences to ensure they were not carbon copies, but it’s only as the story progressed that this became clear.
Nevertheless, it was wonderful. As I said, it’s my favourite Heather C. Myers read to date, and I’ve read a fair few already. I’m more than intrigued about where the story is going to head next; in fact, I’m rather desperate to get my hands on the rest of the series. Whilst it is obvious how certain aspects will end (I mainly mean the romance, here), there is still a lot of unknowns.
It is certainly one of the better free books I have ever found.
Awaken is a mashup of many things, a collection that will sound quite odd but works wonderfully. We have superheroes and villains. We have Greek mythology. We have angels and demons. It sounds like a really crazy mix and match of ideas, but they work together wonderfully. Heather C. Myers has managed to bring three ideas that shouldn’t go together and create something wonderful. She always puts her own spin on things, but this is something else entirely. I could sit and explain how the three come together, but to do so would be to spoil the storyline. Just know it works – and it works well. It’s worth reading just to see how well the author has brought the different ideas together.
As with some of her other books, Heather C. Myers follows three main characters throughout the story. I admit that I did have favourites, but all aspects of the story were interesting. Each perspective we follow gives us more about the world, helping us to see the bigger picture even if the characters do not. Each chapter we shift perspective, finding out what is happening for another character; and whilst this can sometimes be a bad way to tell a story, such is not the case here. Each character has the same amount of story told, enough being given to ensure you’re completely pulled in. By the end, though, we still have plenty of questions that we will want answered in the future books. Basically, she gives us enough to pull us in but we are left wanting more when the story ends.
Despite my enjoyment, though, I wasn’t sure how I felt about the characters. Whilst they were enjoyable, and had great storylines, I feel as though they were far too similar to those in Strangers. I think reading them so close together highlighted such a thing for me, yet it still bugged me somewhat. When it comes to the group of friends, we have the same kinds of characters. It’s almost as though I’m reading the same group of friends but in a different situation. There were enough differences to ensure they were not carbon copies, but it’s only as the story progressed that this became clear.
Nevertheless, it was wonderful. As I said, it’s my favourite Heather C. Myers read to date, and I’ve read a fair few already. I’m more than intrigued about where the story is going to head next; in fact, I’m rather desperate to get my hands on the rest of the series. Whilst it is obvious how certain aspects will end (I mainly mean the romance, here), there is still a lot of unknowns.
It is certainly one of the better free books I have ever found.
May 4, 2015
Had potential just not the book for me.
I'm aware that I'm not the target audience for this book but I do read a lot of youth fiction, the synopsis sounded great and all the reviews were fantastic the lowest I could find was 4 stars.
I'm not sure how to start my review, the thing I kept coming back to is Batman and Gotham City, now don't get me wrong I'm not a Batman fan but this just reminded me of that.
In this book the city is Onyx but it had a surreal yet comic book feel about it and I wasn't expecting that, it never felt real and I don't know if that's just me, judging from the reviews I'd say it is, but it completely threw me and I couldn't settle no matter how much I tried.
I read a lot and the fact that this is the third day I've spent trying to read this book tells me that it's not the series for me, it had some interesting characters, Henry for one and part of me wanted to continue on but I couldn't get past the comic book feel.
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March 23, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/23/2020)! 🎁
August 25, 2018
Actual rating: 3.5 stars.
I was admittedly rather skeptical about the premise of this book. Seriously, a character roster that includes vigilantes taking cues from Batman, angels, demons, and figures from Greek mythology? With just a hint of Sleeping Beauty thrown in for the hell of it? And a good portion of these characters are still attending high school for some reason? That just sounded like the beginnings of a headache to me. And, well, the fact that the author also has a series about vampire pirates might have added to my skepticism. Not that I won't at least consider giving that one a shot after reading Awaken. Maybe.
This story wasn't perfect, but it sucked me in, and pretty quickly, too. It's told from the perspectives of Andie, Keirah, and Reese (all female) for the most part, with Noir getting a little bit of screen time too. One huge positive was that, while I found myself most interested in what Keirah and Noir were up to, I was never bored with reading Andie and Reese's points of view. I do think it would have been nice to hear a bit more from the boys, but I think that will come later on. As I write this, I'm realizing that I probably could have been equally satisfied with a story focusing solely on Keirah and Noir, but that would just be a reimagining of Harley Quinn and the Joker, and none of that really has anything to do with the overarching plot of this book.
That's sort of an important point to make. While one of the things that I really liked about Awaken turned out to be the unique premise that at first made me apprehensive, all of those different elements I mentioned earlier could potentially (and easily) turn into one big convoluted mess. It's down to the author to make sure that doesn't happen, but the point I'm trying to make here is that the obvious Batman/Joker/Harley/Gotham parallels are not necessary, or maybe could have been a bit... subtler? I became very confused after realizing that Batman actually exists in this world as a fictional character when Andie compares him to Black Wing. Would a character in a retelling of Beauty and the Beast mention that their favorite story is Beauty and the Beast? ... I can't imagine why they would.
I just think that the comic-related stuff will soon become irrelevant to the story, if it isn't already, given that Black Wing and Noir are both something much more than merely vigilante and villain, and they both have higher agendas (well, perhaps not Noir). Maybe the author was inspired by Batman to write a fantasy story, like Twilight and Fifty Shades of Grey in reverse or something. Either way, it was just a bit too on the nose for me. But, like I said, I'm pretty sure those parallels will fall to the wayside anyway when things get more fantastical.
I was also really thrown off by the Henry/Piper thing. The author dropped so many hints that his reincarnated love was Reese. I mean, it was made pretty damn clear that they were attracted and fascinated by each other in a way that suggested something more than friendly, and then it turns out that he's really just Reese's past life bff after they have a 5 second encounter with Piper? And Reese then decides to set them up? That was weird. At least it worked out for me because I wasn't feeling them together anyway. I prefer Reese and Ollo, though I'm not totally convinced by them either yet. I also can't believe she thought Gabe was Apollo and didn't even consider that Ollo could be. Hello? There's only two letters missing. I really, really don't want her with Gabe though and will not like it if the author goes there with them. He's creepy as hell.
My only other complaints are these:
1. Why put any of the characters in high school? At the very least make it college or something, especially when the dudes are all ancient. I managed not to think about that little fact too much while reading the book because most authors have a hard time writing truly "ancient" sounding characters and I was absorbed in the story, but still. At least make the girls of legal age, for gods sake. I'm getting more annoyed as I think about it, and I wish that shit would stop popping up in fiction. I know I'm not the only one who feels this way.
2. The name Noir. Just... ugh. It didn't fit.
3. How is it plausible that the police allowed a high school intern to sleep in the same cell as a mass murderer because said mass murderer requested it, even if the man happened to be threatening the life of an officer in order to make such a thing happen? What kind of police place the life of a man who applied to work there and knew the risks over that of a minor out of her depth?
4. This isn't meant exactly as a complaint per se, but why is it that God, angels, and demons all coexist alongside figures from Greek myths? There were some explanations about the biblical mythology, but not really the Greek aspect or how it's all related. There's still time to clarify this, so hopefully the next book will do exactly that.
Based on my above ramblings, it would be a reasonable assumption to think that I didn't actually like Awaken all that much, but I did. I plan to read the sequel when it comes out, and I would not have put this much thought into a review if I didn't enjoy the book. I had issues, for sure, but I still couldn't put it down once I started reading. I did take off a full star for the high school/age thing alone though. I am so tired of the "ancient otherworldly being falls in love with a 17 year old virgin" crap.
I was admittedly rather skeptical about the premise of this book. Seriously, a character roster that includes vigilantes taking cues from Batman, angels, demons, and figures from Greek mythology? With just a hint of Sleeping Beauty thrown in for the hell of it? And a good portion of these characters are still attending high school for some reason? That just sounded like the beginnings of a headache to me. And, well, the fact that the author also has a series about vampire pirates might have added to my skepticism. Not that I won't at least consider giving that one a shot after reading Awaken. Maybe.
This story wasn't perfect, but it sucked me in, and pretty quickly, too. It's told from the perspectives of Andie, Keirah, and Reese (all female) for the most part, with Noir getting a little bit of screen time too. One huge positive was that, while I found myself most interested in what Keirah and Noir were up to, I was never bored with reading Andie and Reese's points of view. I do think it would have been nice to hear a bit more from the boys, but I think that will come later on. As I write this, I'm realizing that I probably could have been equally satisfied with a story focusing solely on Keirah and Noir, but that would just be a reimagining of Harley Quinn and the Joker, and none of that really has anything to do with the overarching plot of this book.
That's sort of an important point to make. While one of the things that I really liked about Awaken turned out to be the unique premise that at first made me apprehensive, all of those different elements I mentioned earlier could potentially (and easily) turn into one big convoluted mess. It's down to the author to make sure that doesn't happen, but the point I'm trying to make here is that the obvious Batman/Joker/Harley/Gotham parallels are not necessary, or maybe could have been a bit... subtler? I became very confused after realizing that Batman actually exists in this world as a fictional character when Andie compares him to Black Wing. Would a character in a retelling of Beauty and the Beast mention that their favorite story is Beauty and the Beast? ... I can't imagine why they would.
I just think that the comic-related stuff will soon become irrelevant to the story, if it isn't already, given that Black Wing and Noir are both something much more than merely vigilante and villain, and they both have higher agendas (well, perhaps not Noir). Maybe the author was inspired by Batman to write a fantasy story, like Twilight and Fifty Shades of Grey in reverse or something. Either way, it was just a bit too on the nose for me. But, like I said, I'm pretty sure those parallels will fall to the wayside anyway when things get more fantastical.
I was also really thrown off by the Henry/Piper thing. The author dropped so many hints that his reincarnated love was Reese. I mean, it was made pretty damn clear that they were attracted and fascinated by each other in a way that suggested something more than friendly, and then it turns out that he's really just Reese's past life bff after they have a 5 second encounter with Piper? And Reese then decides to set them up? That was weird. At least it worked out for me because I wasn't feeling them together anyway. I prefer Reese and Ollo, though I'm not totally convinced by them either yet. I also can't believe she thought Gabe was Apollo and didn't even consider that Ollo could be. Hello? There's only two letters missing. I really, really don't want her with Gabe though and will not like it if the author goes there with them. He's creepy as hell.
My only other complaints are these:
1. Why put any of the characters in high school? At the very least make it college or something, especially when the dudes are all ancient. I managed not to think about that little fact too much while reading the book because most authors have a hard time writing truly "ancient" sounding characters and I was absorbed in the story, but still. At least make the girls of legal age, for gods sake. I'm getting more annoyed as I think about it, and I wish that shit would stop popping up in fiction. I know I'm not the only one who feels this way.
2. The name Noir. Just... ugh. It didn't fit.
3. How is it plausible that the police allowed a high school intern to sleep in the same cell as a mass murderer because said mass murderer requested it, even if the man happened to be threatening the life of an officer in order to make such a thing happen? What kind of police place the life of a man who applied to work there and knew the risks over that of a minor out of her depth?
4. This isn't meant exactly as a complaint per se, but why is it that God, angels, and demons all coexist alongside figures from Greek myths? There were some explanations about the biblical mythology, but not really the Greek aspect or how it's all related. There's still time to clarify this, so hopefully the next book will do exactly that.
Based on my above ramblings, it would be a reasonable assumption to think that I didn't actually like Awaken all that much, but I did. I plan to read the sequel when it comes out, and I would not have put this much thought into a review if I didn't enjoy the book. I had issues, for sure, but I still couldn't put it down once I started reading. I did take off a full star for the high school/age thing alone though. I am so tired of the "ancient otherworldly being falls in love with a 17 year old virgin" crap.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2018
Firstly I want to start this review with stating this cover is beyond gorgeous. I love the colours, it's beautiful.
I really enjoyed the three main female leads of this novel. Andi is so full of spirit, Reese is sweet and inquisitive, and Keirah is bold and true to herself.
I like that each each is told from their different points of view and their stories interconnect. I called some of the 'plot-twists' of this novel; but I have some major crushes on the dudes in this novel. Ollo and Jack swoon for sure.
This novel really left on a high, and with the reader wanting more. I definitely want to find out what happens next.
I really enjoyed the three main female leads of this novel. Andi is so full of spirit, Reese is sweet and inquisitive, and Keirah is bold and true to herself.
I like that each each is told from their different points of view and their stories interconnect. I called some of the 'plot-twists' of this novel; but I have some major crushes on the dudes in this novel. Ollo and Jack swoon for sure.
This novel really left on a high, and with the reader wanting more. I definitely want to find out what happens next.
March 1, 2018
I fell in love with this book in all of its gritty and dark glory.
"God always knew man would fall. That's why He gave them the ability to redeem themselves."
The characters were well developed and they all had their own shock value to add to the storyline. When all of the odds are stacked against you, how do you pull through?
"I don't want you to go." There was a plea in his voice, something she never thought she would hear. That was the moment her heart shattered, hearing someone so strong and confident sound so broken.
"God always knew man would fall. That's why He gave them the ability to redeem themselves."
The characters were well developed and they all had their own shock value to add to the storyline. When all of the odds are stacked against you, how do you pull through?
"I don't want you to go." There was a plea in his voice, something she never thought she would hear. That was the moment her heart shattered, hearing someone so strong and confident sound so broken.
December 27, 2019
I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.
😱😱😱 OMFG This book is absolutely f#&$ing fantastic. At first I wasn't too sure but then once you get into it, it's just 🤯🤯 mind blowing.
I love the fact that there are quite a few different characters that we are following throughout the book, and it depends on each of their fate as to what happens in the future.
Isadora has definitely written a thoroughly out of this world great read with this book. I can't wait for the next instalment.
It's definitely one I'd recommend, so many twists and turns, you'll feel like you're on a rollercoaster ride, but trust me you won't want to get off until you've finished it 😲😲💖💖
😱😱😱 OMFG This book is absolutely f#&$ing fantastic. At first I wasn't too sure but then once you get into it, it's just 🤯🤯 mind blowing.
I love the fact that there are quite a few different characters that we are following throughout the book, and it depends on each of their fate as to what happens in the future.
Isadora has definitely written a thoroughly out of this world great read with this book. I can't wait for the next instalment.
It's definitely one I'd recommend, so many twists and turns, you'll feel like you're on a rollercoaster ride, but trust me you won't want to get off until you've finished it 😲😲💖💖
September 20, 2018
Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars!
May 23, 2025
I enjoyed this. but I'm sad that the next two books aren't free. I am supposed to read all my tbr before I buy new books.
July 15, 2018
It took me a little while to wrap my head around the storyline, but once i did i couldnt put it down! I rather enjoyed the fact that each girl got their own chapter and was able to tell their parts in the story. I think as of right now i am torn between Reese and Ollo or Andie and Jack for my favorite. I am rooting for them all but these teo girls i seem to like the most!! Cant wait to read the next installment to this series!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 14, 2016
Overall I enjoyed this book. I will admit the beginning is slow so took a little bit to actually enjoy the story. It follows 3 girls throughout the story. You have Andie and her sister. Andie's sister goes missing and of course she spends the book trying to find out where she went. The last person the book follows is Reese. She in the beginning of the book moves to Onyx and becomes friends with Andie. The the thing is that they all 3 are involved in an upcoming war between the angels and demons. The battles haven't begun yet. Sadly, I don't thing anything major is going to actually happen until book 3. There were some nice little surprises towards the end which was nice.
July 13, 2018
3.5 stars. Awaken is the first book in The Dark Paradise Chronicles series. This can be read as a standalone though it is clear from the ending that there is more to the story in future books. There is violence and adult content so 18+. This is an interesting story told from three main points of view. The three main characters are older teens who get mixed up in things they didn't even know existed. I can't wait for the next book to see what happens to them after this.
March 27, 2019
This is meant to be a normal friendship. Andie needs to find an internship but she just has blown her last chance with opening her big mouths. She really wanted the position at Phillip Enterprises and to make things worse she just threw water over the owner Jack Phillip she realizes that she might just have gone too far. But Jack isn't giving up on her yet there is something about her but he will let her be for a time. Andie fears that her mother is going to start moaning again about needing more help and her sister Keirah seems to be too busy. Keirah is having her own problems, the killer Noir wants her to be in all his sessions with the doctor and she has found that she likes to spend time with him. Noir knows that he can use her to escape eventually and he might just keep her. Andie and her best friend Carey share everything so when she tells her all about Jack things just take a turn for the worst as she is about to spend time at a party he is giving. Can things get anymore complicated? Yes they do as she gets her wish to work at Phillip Enterprises and she becomes too involved with Jack but she needs his connections to find out where her sister is. Keirah knew that Noir was going to take her with him but she never thought that she would help him rob a bank now she is wanted as well. But Noir hasn't told her everything about himself and she just doesn't really how much danger is coming. Jack knows that he has to keep his distance from Andie as she is always looking for something and he fears that she will find out his secret. He might have all the money and good looks to get him what he wants but can he get the one that he needs? Reese is new at school so when she meets Andie & Carey she feels like she can rest for awhile. She has just awaken from a year long coma and she has met some weird guys lately and she has just been told that she is a seer and that she is the key to the coming war. She can't believe it but now the visions make sense and she knows that everything she holds dear will be lost. Can she trust her trainer Ollo with her life? She knows that he is important and she feels like she knows him and then he explains everything about her past she understands why he is here with her. Can they beat the evil that is coming? What will their roles be in the coming war? A good read. I received a copy from the author.
November 4, 2018
This book was not at all what I expected it was going to be. It's told from the perspective of Andi, Keirah, and Reese. Three very different girls that all have a love interest. I was confused at first because I didn't understand how the story three girls were involved in were connected. I had to re-read the blurb to make some connection about 1/4 into the book. If their stories were separated, I believe the story would be more easily understood and able to be more developed in certain ways.
Here's the big spoiler: Reese is a Seer, who sees the future. She gets help from Ollo, the "prickly prince" who is often drunk. Andi's sister is Kierah, Kierah is kidnapped by Noir, Noir is a Excom that is meant to corrupt Onyx. Andi falls for Jack who captured Noir, (hint knock off Batman). These stories are all connected, but it's kind of like running into a big ass spider web in the dark. You have no idea where it's connected to so it's hard as hell to get off. This story is as if someone took the Batman/Joker/Harley universe and mixed it with Christianity and Greek Mythology. I honestly don't understand how the author wrote the book to make sense, but she did and she did a really good job of it. Her mind map probably looked like the a conspiracy theory board where people try to make the most inconsequential details relate to one another. Brown did an amazing job keeping the stories separate, but related. Each girl has her own storyline but they all tie into the basic plot. If the author would've made the girls college students, then I think the level of intellect and internships the girls held would make more sense. I can understand is she used high school aged girls so that the older people were still in their early twenties, but just a suggestion. Anyways, I would recommend this book to someone who enjoys complicated, interesting plots with a bunch of stuffed pulled in!
Here's the big spoiler: Reese is a Seer, who sees the future. She gets help from Ollo, the "prickly prince" who is often drunk. Andi's sister is Kierah, Kierah is kidnapped by Noir, Noir is a Excom that is meant to corrupt Onyx. Andi falls for Jack who captured Noir, (hint knock off Batman). These stories are all connected, but it's kind of like running into a big ass spider web in the dark. You have no idea where it's connected to so it's hard as hell to get off. This story is as if someone took the Batman/Joker/Harley universe and mixed it with Christianity and Greek Mythology. I honestly don't understand how the author wrote the book to make sense, but she did and she did a really good job of it. Her mind map probably looked like the a conspiracy theory board where people try to make the most inconsequential details relate to one another. Brown did an amazing job keeping the stories separate, but related. Each girl has her own storyline but they all tie into the basic plot. If the author would've made the girls college students, then I think the level of intellect and internships the girls held would make more sense. I can understand is she used high school aged girls so that the older people were still in their early twenties, but just a suggestion. Anyways, I would recommend this book to someone who enjoys complicated, interesting plots with a bunch of stuffed pulled in!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2020
There's something wicked happening in Onyx City...
Souls are being recruited by the devil himself to prepare for an all-out war against Heaven, and Reese Lespoir finds herself at the heart of it. She's awoken from a coma by a kiss from a mysterious stranger who's more prickly than prince. As she tries to assimilate to normal teenage life, she learns she now has the power to see the future, which apparently, requires careful training. Enter Prickly Prince, who seems to find more enjoyment being a witty drunk than honing her craft.
When a girl is taken by Onyx City's most notorious criminal, who may or may not be a demon, Reese is thrust into the forefront of the impending war well before she's ready. Her new friend, Andie Shepherd, is intent on getting her sister back from the demonic criminal at all costs, and if Reese doesn't help, Andie may have to rely on the assistance of a vigilante known only as Black Wing, dangerous as he is tall, dark and handsome. And that's only if he's in a particularly generous mood. Just because he has wings doesn't mean he's always an angel, after all.
Awaken is the first book in a new urban fantasy romance series that fan of Batman and dark adaptions of Greek mythology can’t put down.
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building that adds so much to the story.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Souls are being recruited by the devil himself to prepare for an all-out war against Heaven, and Reese Lespoir finds herself at the heart of it. She's awoken from a coma by a kiss from a mysterious stranger who's more prickly than prince. As she tries to assimilate to normal teenage life, she learns she now has the power to see the future, which apparently, requires careful training. Enter Prickly Prince, who seems to find more enjoyment being a witty drunk than honing her craft.
When a girl is taken by Onyx City's most notorious criminal, who may or may not be a demon, Reese is thrust into the forefront of the impending war well before she's ready. Her new friend, Andie Shepherd, is intent on getting her sister back from the demonic criminal at all costs, and if Reese doesn't help, Andie may have to rely on the assistance of a vigilante known only as Black Wing, dangerous as he is tall, dark and handsome. And that's only if he's in a particularly generous mood. Just because he has wings doesn't mean he's always an angel, after all.
Awaken is the first book in a new urban fantasy romance series that fan of Batman and dark adaptions of Greek mythology can’t put down.
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building that adds so much to the story.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 15, 2018
This one took me a bit to get into it and figure out the storyline, but once I did, I was hooked. There are a lot of players in this game, but they do have significant rolls as the story progresses, so don't count anyone out as a throwaway character because they may be back with a purpose. Think Batman, Greek mythology, angels, good vs evil, and even a little bit of fairy tale all rolled into one and that's an idea of what's in this book. We can't forget the romance - there are three, and chapters alternate between the three young women involved in these romances. We have the handsome and very rich business man, the serial killer, the guy who can get whatever you want for a price, a girl who is awakened from a coma with a bit of magic, and sisters who are drawn to different sides in an oncoming battle they don't even know is coming. This first in the series is intense as it introduces the characters and the world they live in, and there are some things that would be over the top on the believability scale, but this is fantasy and in a world such as this one, anything is likely. This is the beginning of a series, so everything isn't tied up in a neat little bow, but we aren't left with an earth-shattering cliffy either. It's more open-ended, certainly leaving me curious about where this story goes next.
September 21, 2024
Now I have read all 3 books: Sorry, but I can't recommend this serie to anyone. Realitionships were awfull: young girls pretty much being doormats of their lives, doublestandards, abusive behaviour. I wouldn't want any young woman to read this shit. And if you aren't interesting in bad romance stuff, there is nothing to you: Storyline is such a mess without proper mystery or adventure. And if you are looking for hot smutt, well you can't find enough there. Sorry.
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After the just the first book my opinion:
This was a mess. Too many disturbing things for giving more than 2 stars. Everything wasn't bad: I personally liked that there was more main characters and they were quite interesting and mostly I liked then. But yeh, plot was mess. Gotham adaption with just little changes and different names mixed with Greece mythology and angels and highschool mixed with business life. Oh dear, too many things that just aren't going smoothly together. I might like mixed multiversums and mythologies, but in this case it wasn't working right. I also didn't understand why the girls have to bee so young. It wasn't beliviable in relation to the plot. And I disliked that all the males seems to be, well unforthy in my eyes for the young innocent girls. I mean yes, it is nice that everyone has flaws, but these men: Yuck. I have read lately more darker stuff, but somehow this was more disturbing for me. Prorobably because of doublestandard: oh men are men but women must be Virgins and sluttery Girls are bad. Yea, right.
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After the just the first book my opinion:
This was a mess. Too many disturbing things for giving more than 2 stars. Everything wasn't bad: I personally liked that there was more main characters and they were quite interesting and mostly I liked then. But yeh, plot was mess. Gotham adaption with just little changes and different names mixed with Greece mythology and angels and highschool mixed with business life. Oh dear, too many things that just aren't going smoothly together. I might like mixed multiversums and mythologies, but in this case it wasn't working right. I also didn't understand why the girls have to bee so young. It wasn't beliviable in relation to the plot. And I disliked that all the males seems to be, well unforthy in my eyes for the young innocent girls. I mean yes, it is nice that everyone has flaws, but these men: Yuck. I have read lately more darker stuff, but somehow this was more disturbing for me. Prorobably because of doublestandard: oh men are men but women must be Virgins and sluttery Girls are bad. Yea, right.
January 13, 2020
Andi and Keriah are taking care of themselves since their mother cut herself off from everyone. Both of the girls are trying to do their best at school. Keirah has internship with Dr. Hawkins for school. This is where she will meet the criminal Noir. Andi is trying to get an internship with Phillip Enterprises, but it doesn't go well. When she runs into the owner Jack Phillips, she will leave an impression on him.
Reese is now in Onyx City due to her being in a coma since her accident. She is awaken by a strange man, but she isn't sure if it a memory. She will be starting a new school. This is where she will meet Andi and Henry. She has also drawn the eye of the jock of school, he will not take no for answer.
Their stories will interconnect, but they will not know this at. Each will dealing with their own issues and how to deal with situations that didn't ask for.
This is an unique telling of a story, there are points the it drags a little. I am going to read the next one to see what happens next for these characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Reese is now in Onyx City due to her being in a coma since her accident. She is awaken by a strange man, but she isn't sure if it a memory. She will be starting a new school. This is where she will meet Andi and Henry. She has also drawn the eye of the jock of school, he will not take no for answer.
Their stories will interconnect, but they will not know this at. Each will dealing with their own issues and how to deal with situations that didn't ask for.
This is an unique telling of a story, there are points the it drags a little. I am going to read the next one to see what happens next for these characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 29, 2025
Look, i wanted to love the book.
It started slow. It continued being slow. I like the idea of the plot but the execution wasn’t good
Firstly. Why were the girls in high school. It made no sense for them to be so young and their love interest to be men in their 20’s. They could have easily been college students.
The timeline made zero sense. One minute it’s the start of the end and then next it was the end. One minute a character said it’s been 10 days and the next character said it’s been a couple of months.
Also what was the build up with Henry
Why were there so many love interest and so many unnecessary characters eg piper and some other friend. Them and the girls being in high school fizzled out as the story went along, so pointless the book could have been 100 pages shorter
It felt very rushed. And very slow.
Andie’s sister is missing and not once did she leave the house and search for her, she was to busy playing house with the billionaire (I don’t count the failed bank look) she didn’t hand out filers, search the streets. Nothing.
To many tropes and themes. It liked the idea of it but it wasn’t done well unfortunately
I won’t be continuing the series
It started slow. It continued being slow. I like the idea of the plot but the execution wasn’t good
Firstly. Why were the girls in high school. It made no sense for them to be so young and their love interest to be men in their 20’s. They could have easily been college students.
The timeline made zero sense. One minute it’s the start of the end and then next it was the end. One minute a character said it’s been 10 days and the next character said it’s been a couple of months.
Also what was the build up with Henry
Why were there so many love interest and so many unnecessary characters eg piper and some other friend. Them and the girls being in high school fizzled out as the story went along, so pointless the book could have been 100 pages shorter
It felt very rushed. And very slow.
Andie’s sister is missing and not once did she leave the house and search for her, she was to busy playing house with the billionaire (I don’t count the failed bank look) she didn’t hand out filers, search the streets. Nothing.
To many tropes and themes. It liked the idea of it but it wasn’t done well unfortunately
I won’t be continuing the series
March 25, 2019
Fascinating
Three girls, two of them sisters. Keirah, Reese and Andie. Reese had been in a coma for eight months when she was awakened with a kiss. It was a medical miracle. The other two are sisters....all end up in the same high school. Each has a compelling story here. Angie and her mother have never really gotten along. Angie looks too much like her father, who walked out years ago.
Keirah has an internship with a psychologist when a prisoner is brought in for treatment. He is notorious and named Noir. He is immediately interested in her and this starts the strange relationship between them.
Andie has a love hate relationship with her boss who took her in as an intern. But circumstances lead to something totally different. Black Wing protects the city, and she disapproves of his methods, until.....
Reese has a special job to do. It turns out that she is more than anyone knows. She's the key to the war between angels and demons. Bad place to be.
It's a good story. Sometimes a little hard to follow. But I loved it.
Read on my friends
Three girls, two of them sisters. Keirah, Reese and Andie. Reese had been in a coma for eight months when she was awakened with a kiss. It was a medical miracle. The other two are sisters....all end up in the same high school. Each has a compelling story here. Angie and her mother have never really gotten along. Angie looks too much like her father, who walked out years ago.
Keirah has an internship with a psychologist when a prisoner is brought in for treatment. He is notorious and named Noir. He is immediately interested in her and this starts the strange relationship between them.
Andie has a love hate relationship with her boss who took her in as an intern. But circumstances lead to something totally different. Black Wing protects the city, and she disapproves of his methods, until.....
Reese has a special job to do. It turns out that she is more than anyone knows. She's the key to the war between angels and demons. Bad place to be.
It's a good story. Sometimes a little hard to follow. But I loved it.
Read on my friends
May 10, 2019
I have become more and more impressed by Isadora Brown. This is another one of the ways her creativity takes on a more unique approach to a plot. This books storyline comes from 3 different girls POV’s . I can’t say there is a main character out of these 3 but as their story’s evolve we realise that they will all eventually become part of the same plot, each not being aware of the significance of one another. This story started by a coma girl secretly being kissed, becoming the catalyst of what will come. Angels & Demons are coming and the ones on earth are nothing like the white winged golden halo visions in our heads. Greek Deities, past lives & Oracles are real. There is suspense, murder, phycological trauma and heartache as these girls start to grow into the different paths that are being forced on them. This book will keep you guessing and wanting more. A series I can definitely recommend and one that you will want to continue. This is certainly a storyline I can see will continue to give and give and continue to surprise us
February 22, 2025
I am so sorry but I had to DNF this at about 40%. I knew I wanted to around 10% but I’m stubborn and thought it would get better. It did not. I was in physical pain trying to read it to just get through it. The book is told from three perspectives which is fine, confusing at first because you don’t know how they intertwine, then it makes sense, then there is probably a 50% overlap of what you are reading between each perspective. Like you will read it from one person, it will switch to another, and they tell part of it through their eyes then so on and so forth. I got this during a SYK day so I’m glad it was free at least. The book was an overall hot mess. I hated all of the characters, some things just didn’t make sense, most of it is unbelievable. I felt like the author randomly chose tropes or things she’d read in other books out of a hat and smushed it all into one book. Please don’t waste your time reading this one! To the author, I am so sorry but I felt others needed to hear this.
January 10, 2020
ONE ELECTRIFYING ADVENTURE!!!
Intense! Isadora brought out the big guns for this tough as nails, mind-blowing, chart topping, rollercoaster ride that blasts this baby wide open. A tightly spinning vortex of vexing circumstances and a slew of unexpected events propels this baby into a tailspin with shocking results. Blundering through the trials and tribulations, sharp twists and sleek turns, throwing this little fella into a tizzy with an astounding culmination. Bracing the drama, intrigue, turmoil, distress, danger and soaring suspense, blasts this little fella into the eye of the storm, breaking it down, propelling it to life beautifully. The characters are authentic and original with depth and traits that blend into amazing personalities. The scenes are so graphic and detailed it paints a fantastic backdrop that really makes the storyline pop. Incredible job Isadora, thanks for sharing this little gem us.
Intense! Isadora brought out the big guns for this tough as nails, mind-blowing, chart topping, rollercoaster ride that blasts this baby wide open. A tightly spinning vortex of vexing circumstances and a slew of unexpected events propels this baby into a tailspin with shocking results. Blundering through the trials and tribulations, sharp twists and sleek turns, throwing this little fella into a tizzy with an astounding culmination. Bracing the drama, intrigue, turmoil, distress, danger and soaring suspense, blasts this little fella into the eye of the storm, breaking it down, propelling it to life beautifully. The characters are authentic and original with depth and traits that blend into amazing personalities. The scenes are so graphic and detailed it paints a fantastic backdrop that really makes the storyline pop. Incredible job Isadora, thanks for sharing this little gem us.
January 10, 2020
A mythical and paranormal feast for the soul.
I absolutely adored this book, and can't wait to dive into its follow up. You initially think it's your typical new adult romance, when BAM! Shocker, that's the last thing this is. It's not PRETTY LITTLE LIARS, or RIVERDALE. Think much, much bigger. The setting is the city of Onyx (think Gotham but a tad less violent). Guarded by a secret hero called Dark Wing. We are introduced to a few teen girls, but each have important roles to play. Luckily they are all connected via either friendship or blood. This book had many layers of secrets. How does a girl trapped in a coma for a year suddenly awaken right as rain? There are Greek myths, angels, fallen angels and the devil himself within these pages. All jockeying to see how the battle will begin, and WHO strikes the match. Slowly each girl learns her role as each delicious page and chapter it's revealed. This is just the beginning...
I absolutely adored this book, and can't wait to dive into its follow up. You initially think it's your typical new adult romance, when BAM! Shocker, that's the last thing this is. It's not PRETTY LITTLE LIARS, or RIVERDALE. Think much, much bigger. The setting is the city of Onyx (think Gotham but a tad less violent). Guarded by a secret hero called Dark Wing. We are introduced to a few teen girls, but each have important roles to play. Luckily they are all connected via either friendship or blood. This book had many layers of secrets. How does a girl trapped in a coma for a year suddenly awaken right as rain? There are Greek myths, angels, fallen angels and the devil himself within these pages. All jockeying to see how the battle will begin, and WHO strikes the match. Slowly each girl learns her role as each delicious page and chapter it's revealed. This is just the beginning...
January 12, 2020
This was an amazing story. The first part of the book is spent getting to know the main characters and really learning and liking them. Then boom, Reese is told that a war is brewing and that she and her friends have ended up right in the middle of it. I liked the story and the slow build that made me like the characters and really kept me reading and trying to guess who were the the good and bad guys. I liked that that I did not exactly guess who would be who. And then the fun really started. I found the book hard to put down and wildly addicting. I loved the different take on mythology and mix of the superhero and the power of friendship . The way Onyx City ends up being the center of everything was cool. I liked how it was not just a main character but multiple people that made the story even more interesting. Just a great read and a different type of series that was fun and addicting to read.
July 20, 2022
I started the Seeker Series and was generally enjoying that (despite the soap opera feel) and decided to try this series. It was an okay book. It had very much a Gotham and Batman feel as another reviewer has stated. The rich privileged bachelor who is an angel and who saves Onyx (read Gotham) from its terrible criminal Noir (The Joker). There were parts of it that were very Silence of the Lamb like also. It felt very patchy and disconnected. None of the main characters were that interesting and the ages of the main characters was ludicrous. All the girls were 17 and attracted to older men. The girls just didn't act their age. I didn't understand the whole Keira and Noir thing and felt that the author was really sending a bad message to most teenagers with that. Overall it was a meh book. I did go on to read the next ones just to see if things improved, but I didn't really like this series.
July 17, 2018
This book is centred around the struggle between good and evil and the impending war between the two. The main three characters are all friends at school who are mixed in this war that is coming in different ways. In this book, two of the three have a love interest which might not work out as you would like (read it and you'll understand).
I found it a little weird when it went back a few times to tell the same part of the story from the other person's viewpoint, but overall I really enjoyed it and became addicted and ended up finishing it when I should have been doing something else. I'm looking forward to finding out what happens in book two - I need to know how some things have worked out and what happens next
Recommended - give it a try and you might find like me you have discovered a new series to be obsessed about
I found it a little weird when it went back a few times to tell the same part of the story from the other person's viewpoint, but overall I really enjoyed it and became addicted and ended up finishing it when I should have been doing something else. I'm looking forward to finding out what happens in book two - I need to know how some things have worked out and what happens next
Recommended - give it a try and you might find like me you have discovered a new series to be obsessed about
Read
February 6, 2020Follow the lives of 3 young ladies on their journey's of self discovery. Two sisters, Keirah and Andie, and the new girl at school, Reese.
The sisters are in the same business class and required to complete internships to pass. Keirah takes an internship at a psychologists office and Andie at the office of Jack Phillip, the city's young billionaire businessman.
In the course of her internship Keirah comes into contact with Noir, the city's most notorious criminal who kills indiscriminately but seems to have an obsession with her.
Andie discovers Jack to be different from the playboy the papers paint him as.
Reese discovers that she was awakened from her coma to step into her preordained role of Seer in the upcoming battle between Angel and Demon.
Can't wait to start the 2nd book
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The sisters are in the same business class and required to complete internships to pass. Keirah takes an internship at a psychologists office and Andie at the office of Jack Phillip, the city's young billionaire businessman.
In the course of her internship Keirah comes into contact with Noir, the city's most notorious criminal who kills indiscriminately but seems to have an obsession with her.
Andie discovers Jack to be different from the playboy the papers paint him as.
Reese discovers that she was awakened from her coma to step into her preordained role of Seer in the upcoming battle between Angel and Demon.
Can't wait to start the 2nd book
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 15, 2018
I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. When I started to read this I thought that I head read it before. So I did a little looking into to the matter and found Heather Myers and realized I had already read this book. It took me a bit by surprised. I was not doing reviews back then for a blog or anything. I do like that each of the three girls get their own chapters to tell their side of the story. The story is an enjoyable with a good sense of flow and suspense. It kind of came of to me as a one of superhero show that I want on tv these days. IT is worth the read if that is your thing.
July 18, 2018
This is such a twisted tangle of Greek myths, Sunday school fables, superhero origin stories, and coming of age chronicles. There’s a wide and varied cast that are, at times, a bit difficult to keep track of since none of them sit still for very long. Every one of them has strengths and weaknesses unique to each of them. I’m highly motivated to see what happens next, even though I’ve read the prologue for season 4 before having read this. It feels a bit like having Oracular vision myself: knowing parts of what’s to come but not knowing how they all piece together and not being able to change it.
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